Potatoes and leeks are piled up to protect the fruit from the sun. But bush beans do grow above ground. So what is the purpose of piling up French beans? Find out below why French beans are piled up and how to do it step by step.

The mounding gives the bush beans stability

Why should you mound your French beans?

Piling up makes sense for beans for several reasons, as the plant can form lateral roots, which in turn have positive effects on the growth of the plant:

  • The bush beans have more support and are less vulnerable to storms and bad weather.
  • The French beans can absorb more water.
  • The bush beans can absorb more nutrients.

In summary, this means that piling up leads to the bush beans growing stronger and healthier, which means that a higher crop yield can be achieved.

When are French beans piled up?

French beans are piled up when they are strong, that is, when they have reached a height of about 15cm to 25cm. Depending on the planting time, this can be in April, June or even in July.
Even if you missed the ideal time to pile up, you can still pile up later. This gives the sensitive plants better support at all times.

Pile up bush beans step by step

Choose a sunny day for piling your French beans so a sudden downpour doesn't ruin your work. Then do the following:

  • Carefully loosen the soil around the bush beans.
  • Use your hands to push soil up the stalk of your bush beans.
  • The heap can easily grow up to five centimeters high.
  • Then press down firmly on the soil to prevent it from being washed away in the next downpour.

When piling up, be careful not to injure your young bush beans.

Is piling absolutely necessary?

Even bush beans that are not piled up can carry plenty of beans and do not have to fall over in the first storm. Bush beans in particular, which are in a sheltered location, can do without piling up. For bush beans that are exposed to a lot of wind, however, piling up is highly recommended. If your bush beans break off, this is a clear indication that piling up was (or was) necessary.

tips

If you find that your bush beans are still lacking in stability, you can repeat the piling later in the year.

Category:

Vegetable garden